PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
ROYAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
BHUTAN CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION (BCSE) 2014
EXAMINATION CATEGORY: TECHNICAL
PAPER III: SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION PAPER for CIVIL ENGINEERING
Date
Total Marks
Examination Time
Reading Time
: 12th October 2014
: 100
: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
: 15 minutes (prior to examination time)
READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY:
1. Write your Roll Number clearly on the Answer Booklet in the space provided.
2. The first 15 minutes is being provided to check the number of pages, printing errors,
clarify doubts and to read the instructions. You are NOT PERMITTED to write during
this time.
3. Use either Blue or Black ink pen or ball point pen for the written part and Pencils for the
sketches and drawings.
4. All answers should be written on the Answer Booklet provided. Candidates are not
allowed to write anything on the question paper or any other materials.
5. It is divided into two sections – namely SECTION A and SECTION B.
6. SECTION A consists of two parts: Part I and Part II.
Part I consists of 30 Multiple-Choice Questions carrying one (1) mark each and is
compulsory. The answer of your choice should be clearly written in whole along with the
question and option number on your answer booklet. Eg. 31 (c).
Part II consists of four (4) short answer questions of five (5) marks each and all questions
are compulsory
7. SECTION B consists of two Case Studies. Choose only ONE case study and answer the
questions under your choice. Each case study carries fifty (50) marks in total.

The paper has 15 printed pages in all, including this Instruction Page.
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
SECTION A
PART –I : Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct answer and write down the letter of the correct answer chosen in the
Answer Sheet against the question number. E.g. 71 (c ). Each question carries ONE mark.
1. Poisson’s Ratio, Bulk Modulus and Young’s Modulus and are connected by the relation:
a)
b)
c)
d)
E = K/3 (1+ 2/m)
E= 3K (1 – 2/m)
E = 2K ( 1 + 1/m)
K = E/3 (1 – 2/m)
2. The maximum shear stress from a Mohr’s circle is given by:
a)
b)
c)
d)
the radius of the circle
the diameter of the circle
the distance of the farthest point on the Mohr’s circle from origin
the distance of center from the origin
3. Any change in moisture content of a soil changes
a) strength of the soil
b) value of angle of shearing resistance
c) amount of compaction required
d) all the above
4. Two soil samples A and B are tested in the Laboratory for the consistency limits. The
results are as follows:
Sample A Sample B
Liquid limit 40%
60%
Plastic limit 20%
25%
From the results above, which soil sample is more plastic?
a)
b)
c)
d)
sample A
sample B
none
both
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
5. Which network given below has error looping?
(a)
(b)
5
7
5
6
7
6
(c)
(d)
6
5
8
5
6
7
7
8
a)
b)
c)
d)
network (a)
network (b)
network (c)
network (d)
6. For low head and high discharge, the suitable turbine is
a) Kaplan
b) Francis
c) Pelton
d) Propeller
7. Moment of Inertia of a rectangular section (having width = b and Depth = d) about x –
axis is given by :
a)
b)
c)
d)
Ix = (b3d) / 12
Ix = (b2d2) / 6
Ix = (bd) / 6
Ix = (bd3) / 12
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
8. For a viscous flow through circular pipes, certain curves are shown in figure given below.
Curve Y in the figure below is for:
Y
X
a)
b)
c)
d)
pressure distribution
velocity distribution
shear stress distribution
none of the above
9. If A is the area of flow, P is the wetted perimeter and T is the top width of flow, the
hydraulic radius is defined as:
a)
b)
c)
d)
A/P
A/T
P/A
T/A
10. Number of reaction components possible at a hinge on rollers support is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
0
1
2
3
11. The slope of curve of Shear Force diagram at any section will be equal to
a) the bending moment at the section
b) the area of the loading diagram from end to that section
c) the slope of loading at that section
d) the ordinate of loading diagram at that section
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
12. To avoid any possibility of tension occurring in masonry structures, the resultant of
various forces at any level must pass through
a) the center of the section
b) a corner of the section
c) middle third of the width or the depth of the section
d) totally outside of the section
13. For ordinary domestic sewage BOD reaction is expected to get completed in about
(20°C) :
a) 10 days
b) 15 days
c) 20 days
d) 30 days
14. Seven day compressive strength of a good Portland cement, as obtained from the
compressive test on cement-sand mortar cubes, should not be less than:
a) 200 kg/cm2
b) 175 kg/cm2
c) 150 kg/cm2
d) 125 kg/cm2
15. A pile commonly used to reduce seepage and control the uplift pressure under hydraulic
structures is know as:
a) friction pile
b) compaction pile
c) bearing pile
d) sheet pile
16. If the contour lines are straight, parallel and equally spaced, they represent:
a) a uniform Slope
b) a plane surface
c) a gradual slopes
d) a rough, rugged terrain
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
17. Which of the following represents the smallest scale:
a) 1 cm : 10 mm
b) 1 cm : 10 cm
c) 1 cm : 10 m
d) 1 cm : 10 km
18. Some of the general causes of pavement failures is due to:
a) Defects in the quality of materials used
b) Settlement of foundation of embankment of the fill material itself
c) Inadequate surface or subsurface drainage in the locality resulting in the stagnation of
water in the sub-grade or in any of the pavement layers
d) All of the above
19. Admixture in the concrete can be added to concrete, just before or during the mixing:
i.
to accelerate the initial setting time while pumping concrete over long distance.
ii.
to increase the resistance to freezing and thawing
iii. to decrease heat evolution
iv.
to increase rate of bleeding and segregation
a)
b)
c)
d)
(i) & (ii)
(ii) &(iii)
(iii) & (iv)
(i), (iii) & (iv)
20. Which of the following statement is TRUE?
i.
The maximum area of tension reinforcement in RC components is limited to certain
percentages of the gross cross-sectional area to avoid difficulty in placing and
compacting concrete properly in the form work.
ii.
A sudden failure would occur with less alarming deflection when beam is designed
as a balanced reinforced beam.
iii.
Steel is strong in compression and concrete is strong in tension.
iv.
Creep and shrinkage are time dependant deformations, generally compressive in
nature.
a)
b)
c)
d)
i), ii) & iii)
ii) & (iii)
iii) & iv)
i), ii) & iv)
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
21. It is assumed that a diagonal crack develops at 45° for the full depth of the beam, 𝐷 and
the spacing of shear stirrups is 𝑥, then number of stirrups crossing a crack is equal to:
a)
b)
(𝐷−𝑑′ )
𝑥
𝐷
𝑥
c) 2
d) All of the above
Where 𝑑 ′ is the effective cover of the beam.
22. The minimum grade of concrete for all the reinforced concrete works should be:
a) M 10
b) M 15
c) M 20
d) M 25
23. The Rankine formula used to obtain the depth of foundation, h is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
𝑝 1− sin 𝜑 2
[
𝛾 1+ sin 𝜑
]
𝑝 1+ sin 𝜑 2
[
𝛾 1− sin 𝜑
𝑝 1− sin 𝜑
[
𝛾 1+ sin 𝜑
𝑝 1+ sin 𝜑
[
𝛾 1− sin 𝜑
]
]
]
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
24. Which ONE of the following is NOT TRUE for ductility detailing of a reinforced
concrete structure:
a) at least two bars should be provided continuously both at top and bottom of a RC
beam.
b) not more than 50% of the reinforcement should be spliced at one section for RC beam
and column.
c) when column terminates at the footing, a minimum confining length of 300 mm must
be provided into the footing.
d) in beam-column connections, the reinforcement from the beam should not be
anchored in the joint.
25. In a water supply scheme, the structural components are constructed in the following
order:
a) Source, Intake, Treatment Plant, Service Reservoir and Distribution System.
b) Source, Treatment Plant, Intake, Service Reservoir and Distribution System.
c) Source, Service Reservoir, Treatment Plant, Intake and Distribution System.
d) Intake, Source, Service Reservoir, Treatment Plant and Distribution System.
26. What does term night soil indicates?
a) untreated sewage.
b) sewage which is undergoing the treatment process.
c) human and animal excreta.
d) sewage or waste water obtained from manufacturing plants of the industries.
27. Raising of outer edge of pavement with respect to the inner edge throughout the length of
the horizontal curve to counteract the effect of centrifugal force and to reduce the
tendency of the vehicle to overturn or skid is known as:
a) Cant
b) Banking
c) Superelevation
d) All of the above
28. The amount of inclination, with respect to a horizontal plane, measured in a vertical plane
lying at right angles to the strike of the bedding is defined as:
a) dip of bed
b) fault line
c) strike of bed
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
d) folds
29. The unit weight of water is:
a) 0.1 g/cc
b) 1 g/cc
c) 10 g/cc
d) 100 g/cc
30. One kg- force is equal to:
a) 9.81 kN
b) 0.981 kN
c) 0.0981 kN
d) 0.00981 kN
Page 9 of 15
PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
PART –II: Short Answer Questions (20 marks)
Answer all the questions. Marks are given against each question in the brackets.
1. Answer the following two questions
a. Is the Bridge shown below statistically determinate?
F
( 2 x 2.5 = 5 marks)
E
A
D
B
C
b. For the beam structure shown below, draw the influence line for reaction at
support B. The length of the beam is 10m.
B
10m
2. Answer the following two questions
a. Explain briefly what is shrinkage limit (SL)?
(1.5 marks)
b. A 12-hour storm rainfall with following depths in cm occurred over a basin
2.0, 2.5, 7.6, 3.8, 10.6, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0, 6.4, 3.8, 1.4, and 1.4
The surface run-off resulting from the above storm is equivalent to 25.5 cm
depth over the basin. Determine the average infiltration index for the basin.
(3.5 marks)
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
3. Answer the following two questions
a. Write any two causes of pot holes in a flexible pavement?
(2 marks)
b. Write down the construction procedures for repairs of pot holes? (3 marks)
4. Figure below shows the foundation layout of a building. The dimension of the column
is 400 mm x 400 mm and thickness of the footing pad is 500 mm.
a.
Estimate the total quantity of earthwork to be excavated to lay the foundation?
(2.5 marks)
b.
Also find the total quantity of earthwork required to be filled back after
foundation is laid?
(2.5 marks)
Note: The dimensions indicated in the figure are in metres and the figure is not to scale.
10
2
X
2
X
Foundation Layout
2
Section X - X
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
SECTION B: Case Study
Choose either Question 1 or Question 2 (not both) from this section. Each Question carries
50 marks and specific marks to each sub-question is given in the brackets.
Question 1.
Suppose you are working as a civil engineer for a consulting firm. You have been assigned to
design a cantilever retaining wall (T type) to retain earth for a height of 4m. The backfill is
horizontal. The density of soil is 18kN/m3. Safe bearing capacity of soil is 200 kN/m2. Take the
co-efficient of friction between concrete and soil as 0.6. The angle of repose is 30 degrees.
[Use M20 concrete and Fe415 steel]
[Provide Toe Projection of 0.75mm]
[Provide 450mm thickness for stem at the base and 200mm at the top]
Follow the steps given below to solve this question
a. Find the Depth of Foundation (Df) and total Height (H) of the Retaining Wall
b. Find thickness of base slab [ hint:
(1/10 to 1/14 ) *H ]
{5 marks}
{2.5 marks}
c. Find width of base slab (hint: 0.5 H to 0.6 H )
{2.5 marks}
d. Design Stem
{13 marks}
e. Design Heel
{10 marks}
f. Design Toe
{7 marks}
g. Sketch ( Cross Section of wall, longitudinal section of wall for about 2m,
Sectional plan of base slab)
{7 marks}
h. What is retaining wall? List and briefly explain the two most commonly used retaining wall?
{3 marks}
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
Question 2
Question 2 has two sub-questions 2.1 and 2.2. [Question 2.1 carries 20 marks and 2.2
carries 30 marks]
2.1 National highways are the primary roads that connect most of the Dzongkhags in Bhutan.
However, during monsoon the highways are often blocked due to landslides causing traffic
disruption. In this case, you are an engineer working for the Road sector. As such, you have
been assigned the task to conduct technical assessment of the above road block site and
recommend remedial measures/ techniques to minimise future landslides from happening at
the same location. Therefore, in your 'Site Assessment Report' you may like to furnish the
following information:
2.1.1 When does the movement of soil occur?
{2 marks}
2.1.2 What are the likely causes of landslides? (Give your answer in bullet points) {4 marks}
2.1.3
What are the techniques that you would recommend to prevent and correct landslides?
(Give your answer in bullet points)
{4 marks}
2.1.4
What does EIA stands for?
{2 marks}
2.1.5 Briefly explain in your own words the term EIA?
{3 marks}
2.1.6 Mention some of the objectives for conducting EIA?
{5 marks}
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
2.2
Design a doubly reinforced rectangular beam for an effective span of 5 m. The
superimposed load is 30 kN/m and size of the beam is limited to 300 mm x 500 mm
overall. Use M 20 mix and Fe 500 grade steel.
{30 marks}
Given:
i.
Effective cover = 0.1D
ii.
factor of safety = 1.5
iii.
Unit weight of RCC
= 25 kN/m3
(Hint: Calculate the steel requirements both in tension and compression. Also carry check on the
max. Steel in tension)
The following tables and information may be useful for the design.
Table 1 Limiting moment of resistance values, N mm
Grade of
concrete
Grade of Steel
Fe 250 steel
Fe 415 steel
Fe 500 steel
General
0.148 σck bd
0.138 σck bd
0.133 σck bd2
M20
2.96 bd2
2.76 bd2
2.66 bd2
M25
3.70 bd2
3.45 bd2
3.33 bd2
M30
4.44 bd2
4.14 bd2
3.99 bd2
2
2
Table 2 Maximum depth of
neutral axis
σy N/mm2
xm
250
415
0.53 d
0.48 d
500
0.46 d
0.87 σy At = σsc Asc
M - Mlim = (σsc Asc - σcc Asc) (d - d')
0.87 σy At = 0.36 σck b xm
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PAPER III : SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION for CIVIL ENGINEERING (Technical)
Table 3 Stress σsc, N/mm2 in compression
reinforcement
Grade of steel σy
d'/d
N/mm2
0.05
0.1
0.15
250
217
217
217
0.2
217
415
355
353
342
329
500
424
412
395
370
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